Head cement problems

I used Rumpf head cement for over 40 years with no problems. I am not able to get it any more so I switched to Waspi. It seems to leave a sheen on the colored thread and not as glossy. Also I tried some water based material and did not like it.I checked with some other tiers and they have problems with Waspi also. One guy buys 12 bottles at a time and said the same thing. He called Waspi and they said it was a bad batch and would replace it. Years ago I used Sally Hansen hard as nails nail polish and liked it. I just got a bottle and worked fine. Problem is when using it on small flys the brush is too big and sloppy. I could remove the brush and use a dubbing needle. I just got a second bottle and will check it out to be sure it works to my satisfaction then remove it. Anyone else experiencing this?

Don't know why you can't get it, it's still being made. Here's a few places for you

Tackle Direct carries it Rumpf Head Cement | TackleDirect

Maine guide Fly Shop Rumpf Head Cement - Maine Guide Fly Shop

Perhaps I should restate that. I can not get it locally or on my way to somewhere normally travaled. There were 3 shops within 15 or 20 minutes and currently only Bass Pro 45 minutes away. Also shops I do business with do not carry it. There is also a push for all chemical based materials to be water based. Stains,paints glues and so on. Tried some loon water base and threw it away after the first use.

Addicted angler,

Good to run in to you on this site ! I use Sally Hansen's and sometime in have to thin it down just a bit with nail polish remover. But I'm just tying up jigs. I know you make some very small flies. That might make a difference.

I went to bass pro and in the fly shop they had a plastic bottle with an almost needle like dropper. Cost me 10 bucks but it let's you put a small drop almost anywhere you want. I hope this helps.

You can cut the brush off the Sally Hansen's and just use your bodkin. Also Skip and others makes their own with clear lacquer and MEK thinner.

I use the bottle like FlyBoy with Sally I thin it about 1/3 with polis remover. Works good for me.

Yes the bobkin is the way to go.I asked the girl at Wall Mart last year if they had thinner for it and she said no. Did not think about the remover. I wait until there are younger gals are working the nail polish area because the older ladies give me a funny look even after I tell them I need it to paint fishing lures. I think I can read there mines " Yea Right".

Lacquer thinner or vinyl paint thinner also works as nail polish is just Lacquer which you also could just get a can of High Gloss Lacquer and have a life time supply! Then forget the nail polish and such!

Skip

Question was did anyone have problems with other head cement. I tie 3 to 4 thousand flys a year for 40 years plus jigs so I know what I want and how to use it. Not being a smart A--. Just wanted to warn those who may try the same products and then have problems. Perhaps it was just one batch as they stated but I do not think that is the case. With our VOC laws it will not be long and the head cement we use today will be a thing of the past.

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Originally Posted by addictedangler

Question was did anyone have problems with other head cement. I tie 3 to 4 thousand flys a year for 40 years plus jigs so I know what I want and how to use it. Not being a smart A--. Just wanted to warn those who may try the same products and then have problems. Perhaps it was just one batch as they stated but I do not think that is the case. With our VOC laws it will not be long and the head cement we use today will be a thing of the past.

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Didnt mean to tic you off, just offer a cheaper way and I don't see what how long or what you have tied has to do with it!
Exxuse me and I will not offer anything else to your threads!

Skip

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Originally Posted by addictedangler

Yes the bobkin is the way to go.I asked the girl at Wall Mart last year if they had thinner for it and she said no. Did not think about the remover. I wait until there are younger gals are working the nail polish area because the older ladies give me a funny look even after I tell them I need it to paint fishing lures. I think I can read there mines " Yea Right".

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That's funny, I have had it go both ways LoL. Actually had a couple of the younger ones start asking me questions about what I tie and how to fish them. Which I mostly tie jigs just for my own use. They seemed guinley interested in learning about it. And one told me she was going to tell her dad about using Sally's because he did a little jig tying. It really gets em going though when you start looking at the sparkley kind.

Did not tick me. I just want the thread to stay on tract. No sense taking time tying and then having problems with your head cement. Thought it was needed to understand that and I am not a beginner.

I cut the brush down to just a few bristles on the Sally's brush that comes with the bottle. You can also pull the bristles out and stick a needle in the hole and super glue it. Sally's also has a very thin version I get at Walgreens. Like to see some flies addicted if you get a chance. I fly fish some at Cumberland River below Wolf Creek Dam and always can get some ideas!!

I'm lucky enough to have some flies that addicted angler tied. I can tell you one thing - my paws are waaay to big to tie those tiny little things ! I don't know how the fly fishing guys do such intricate work.

That post about getting a guart of lacquer is a great idea !

I would be glad to tie some for you Ifish. Give me some information. Species, when you intend to fish .hatch and water conditions and so on. What area are you in so I can match to your aquatic situation.